Art –lovers who yearn to try their hand at drawing are to be given the ideal opportunity by the University of Cambridge this month.

The University’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is organising a series of relaxed workshops called ‘Make Your Mark’, aimed at adults and led by professional artists. These are taking place as part of The Big Draw, the UK’s biggest annual art event.

The workshops begin on 7 October and bookings are being taken now. No experience is necessary, and participants will be able to work in the museum outside of opening hours, making this a unique opportunity to examine some of its most fascinating exhibits in detail. There will be plenty of time to wander around the museum at leisure, and because it will be closed, no threat of random visitors gazing over your shoulder as you work!

Anne Taylor, an artist and former art teacher who is now the museum’s curatorial assistant for archaeology, and Issam Kourbaj, painter, architect and theatre designer, will lead the workshops and will be on hand to offer their expert guidance throughout.

The sessions cost £2 each, or £5 for all three, and must be booked in advance. The full programme is:

Saturday October 7 (10am to 12noon): A “big and bold” drawing session, looking at making large-scale drawings in the anthropology gallery, led by Issam.

Saturday October 14 (10am to 12noon): Creative drawing session using mixed media in the Museum of Zoology with Anne.

Thursday October 19 (6pm to 8pm): Textured collages and prints in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, led by Anne.

All the family will be able to take part in The Big Draw during half-term week, when the museum will be hosting a ‘face-making’ event. Visitors will be able to make and decorate masks, help to create an Identikit book of objects, decorate a ‘face pot’ or just relax and draw the inspirational collections. These activities will take place on Saturday 21 October from 10.30am to 4.30pm and then from Tuesday through to the following Saturday (24 to 28 October) between 2pm and 4.30pm.

To book, or for further information, contact Sarah-Jane Harknett, Outreach Organiser for the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, on e-mail at sjh201@cam.ac.uk or by calling 01223 333516.

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